Boondocking in a 379

fredandfred · 11-17-2015, 07:13 AM

I have a question on boondocking. I assume pulling up to a campsite with no amenities means running with just a battery. All A/C items are now dead. I know the water pump is 12v and the furnace motor, circuit for the water heater and lights are 12v. To me it won't take long before that battery is toast. Does one conclude to connect/carry extra 12v batteries?

**JCR GD** · 11-17-2015, 08:52 AM

I have four 6 volt batts and can go 4+ days with no problem. Just start gen for breakfast & dinner prep. I found out a long time ago one 12 volt will not cut it for boon docking (w/o solar or other charging) I went with four batts cuz I didn't want to have to worry about it anymore.

You need at least two 12 volt. I recommend two 6 volt. MUCH longer discharge time.

**goducks14** · 11-17-2015, 09:15 AM

Even two 6V or two 12V batteries won't last very long especially if you run the furnace. You will need some backup charging system either a generator or solar.
Remember if you have two 6V batteries and one goes bad you only have 6V. JMO but I'd recommend four 6V or two or more 12V. That way if one goes bad you still have 12V.

**gordofuchs** · 11-18-2015, 07:32 AM

[QUOTE=JCR GD;50365]I have four 6 volt batts and can go 4+ days with no problem. Just start gen for breakfast & dinner prep. I found out a long time ago one 12 volt will not cut it for boon docking (w/o solar or other charging) I went with four batts cuz I didn't want to have to worry about it anymore.

If using four of the six volt batteries, how do you wire them to produce twelve volts ?

Gordo Fuchs

**Dave and Monica** · 11-18-2015, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by gordofuchs

If using four of the six volt batteries, how do you wire them to produce twelve volts ?

Gordo Fuchs

In series/parallel...

Dave

fredandfred · 11-20-2015, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Dave and Monica

In series/parallel...

Dave

Once shore power or generator is attached would the inverter handle the charging load?

**JCR GD** · 11-20-2015, 08:32 AM

Yes, the CONverter will charge the batts

**Dave and Monica** · 11-20-2015, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by fredandfred

Once shore power or generator is attached would the inverter handle the charging load?

I believe you mean the convertor instead of invertor to charge the battery bank. The Solitudes have a 75A convertor with 3 stage charging (13.2, 13.6 and 14.4V DC) that will be fine recharging once on shorepower or generator.

Dave

fredandfred · 11-22-2015, 02:39 PM

Ok, sorry converter.

**SkiSmuggs** · 11-25-2015, 11:13 AM

12v RV/Marine batteries are only partially deep cycle. A Grp 24 typically has about 75-80AH, a Grp 27 about 95-100AH and a Grp 31 about 120, I think. The cheapest thing is to go to a larger battery size. A better idea is pairs of 6v golf cart (GC2) batteries wired in series for 12v (and 220AH) and the pairs connected in parallel. GC2 batteries are true deep cycle and can stand being depleted and recharged better than RV/Marine batteries. RV batteries are depleted at 12.1v while GC2 at about 11.9v. RV batteries tend to be worthless in 4 years and GC2 can last 8-10 years.
As for the one going bad leaving you with just 6v, how often do you think that happens?
You can extend your dry camping with LED lights, alternate heating like a Mr Heat Buddy or Olympic Catalyst Wave propane heater, but solar or inverter generator can extend you indefinitely.